KARACHI, Dec 11: Over 80 films will be screened at the 3rd Karafilm Festival which opens on Friday with a ceremony which will be attended by a number of Pakistani and international filmmakers.

The festival screenings will kick off on Saturday at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs and continue till Dec 21, when awards will be given. A retrospective of Pakistani films from the golden era of the 1960s will also be screened at Universe Cineplex in the city, said Hasan Zaidi, administrator of Kara Film Society, organizer of the festival.

He told newsmen on Thursday that the films to be screened were from the United States, Britain, France, Canada, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

He said the festival would promote cultural interaction between filmmakers of these countries, and also helped the film industry of Pakistan.

The only international film festival of its kind in Pakistan, it presented a distinctive platform for various genres and categories of films and created the much-needed space for cultural interaction and showcasing of creativity.

He said this year well-known Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhat, actress Pooja Bhat and actor Naseeruddin Shah were expected to attend the festival.—PPI